The book “Redações 2015”, containing a collection of 20 texts produced by candidates from the last Unicamp Entrance Exam, was launched in a ceremony led by rector José Tadeu Jorge on the 9th in the University Council room (Consu). The publication is a partnership between the Dean of Undergraduate Studies (PRP), the Permanent Commission for Entrance Exams (Comvest) and the Editora da Unicamp. The essays were selected by teachers from different subject areas and the aim is for the book to serve as a reference for future candidates. The authors of the best essays received a diploma of merit during the launching ceremony.

Rector Tadeu Jorge drew attention to the “Unicamp Year 50” seal printed in the book, highlighting the influence that the University exerted during this period to also improve secondary education, through its Entrance Exam. “Certainly, the existence of an essay with themes that are always current was one of the instruments used by Unicamp to force reflections and, even, some curricular changes in high school. In the history of 50 years we can include our Entrance Exam as a milestone and, for this reason, this year's book has a much greater symbolic meaning.”

In the Unicamp 2015 Entrance Exam writing test, which began to be held in the second phase, students were asked to produce two texts of different genres: an analysis on the topic of humanization in health care, written in a formal register; and an invitation letter from students to the school community to discuss actions against violence. “Redações 2015” brings 10 texts from each of the test proposals, with authors from several cities in São Paulo (such as Itapetininga, Guarulhos, Botucatu, Santa Rita do Passa Quatro, Campinas and Limeira), as well as Salvador (BA). The book, in pocket format, can be purchased on the Unicamp Editora page: www.editora.unicamp.br

Professor Petrilson Alan Pinheiro, Academic Coordinator at Comvest, considers that the publication demonstrates the Commission for Entrance Exams' continued interest in establishing a dialogue with basic education, discussing aspects related to understanding the processes of reading and writing as a potential instrument for change – and not just candidate selection. “The works presented and discussed in this book seek to deconstruct an ideal of writing production preached in many schools and courses. When dealing with different discursive genres, the candidate can reflect on social, historical and cultural aspects; to think like an author and not like someone performing a mechanical writing task.”

The general coordinator of Unicamp, professor Alvaro Crósta, said that the book of essays has already become a tradition and is an important milestone in the history of the Unicamp Entrance Exam. “We all know the problems that our primary and secondary education faces in terms of the Portuguese language. This action by the University should be seen not only as a reward for the authors of the essays, but also as an example of style for all students who will take the entrance exam at this and other institutions. I want to wish these students success in their future careers.”

Professor Luís Alberto Magna, Dean of Undergraduate Studies, praised the commitment of the committee that prepared the writing test, which he considers to be a difference enough to encourage the publication of the 17th edition of the book. “For my part, I read all the essays as a common reader, looking for information on the proposed topics. It is noteworthy how the students, even in a stressful situation, managed to speak with precision and insight about acute problems in society, arriving at a highly intelligible text. As a common reader, I want to congratulate each of the authors published here for their style and also for being the best among all the competitors.” 

As its executive director, Professor Eduardo Guimarães recalled that the role of Editora da Unicamp is to put into circulation a production of interest to academic, scientific and intellectual life, but that the essay book is also part of the educational process that seeks training of people. “No professional will be more than average if they don’t know how to write. In addition to the specific competence, he will only have completeness of action if he knows how to write well, as part of the communication that gives an additional quality to professionals.” 

Antonio Henrique Torres Vianna, a student at Colégio Técnico da Unicamp (Cotuca), took the entrance exam for medialogy and had his text on humanization in health care selected for the book. “I chose medialogy because it is an innovative course and one that I really like because it converges on several areas of knowledge and technology; I think I found the basis to develop myself as a communicator. I'm a musician and I also like writing – I read and write a lot of poetry – and all expression techniques. Hence, my ability to write.” 

Sandra Nakashita is the mother of Diego, a medical candidate who achieved the feat of having two texts (one on each topic) selected for “Writings 2015”, but who was unable to attend the ceremony to award the honorary diploma. “I made a point of coming because it is a source of great pride for us. We live in Guarulhos and, because of the proximity, Diego will study medicine at Pinheiros [USP]. But I have a daughter and I hope she fulfills her dream of having at least one of them come here.”

(Luiz Sugimoto)